From the 15th century well into the 20th centuries, printing inks remained relatively unchanged they were pigments suspended in oil (almost exclusively linseed oil derived from flax). Letterpress printing today, then, requires the same characteristics as those developed in the 1430s: viscosity, a long or open working time, and saturated pigmentation. A piece of paper is pressed against an inked relief plate thereby transferring ink to page. Leather “ink balls” (left) were used to transfer new, oil-based inks onto the type of Gutenberg’s new press.Īs I have mentioned previously, despite improvements and automation of certain processes, letterpress printing remains much the same as in Gutenberg’s workshop. Although it takes longer for this curing process to solidify ink than when using a water-based ink, the thickness and viscosity of these inks were necessary for use on a press. It is the same process by which the oil-based paints of the Old Masters would harden. Instead, they cure through a process of oxidation, developing a hard surface that helps protect the pigment. Indeed, oil-based inks do not “dry” per se. Oil’s thicker, more viscous nature meant that ink remained on the surface of the type, and allowed a longer open working time before drying. He replaced water as a medium for carrying pigment with oil. In order to combat this, Gutenberg developed a new form of ink. Water-based inks applied to metal type would simply flow off the surface and/or dry very quickly. Instead of dipping a pen into a water-based ink in order to write an a few words, the press would print an entire page (or multiple pages) at once. It is easy to see, then, how the invention of the printing press drove the move from vellum to paper.Įqually important, however, was the changes to ink necessitated by the invention of the moveable type press. The remaining 75% of copies were printed on paper. Indeed, when Gutenberg printed his famous edition of the Bible, only about 25% of the copies were printed on calf vellum, each requiring the skins of about 170 animals. This led to an increased demand for paper. With the introduction of the printing press, however, the potential for the production of books increased exponentially.
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